Help me identify this little gun

[bassoneer]

This is a nice little gun that belongs to my father-in-law. Pearl grips and nickel plating. I don't know what it is or how old it is. And I can't tell if the barrel was originally this short or if somebody cut the end of the barrel off. It looks like some grinding marks at the end of the barrel and it doesn't look square...but it is a cool little gun. Thanks in advance! B

 

[gunnails]

could you post a picture with the gun open as for loading, when open is there any additional numbers visible?

 

[bassoneer]

The number shows up better in the second photo...hope that helps. Thanks again, B

 

[12string]

It is a 4th Model of the S&W 38 Safety Squeeze, I believe. The serial # is on the bottom of the butt. Here is a picture of mine. Chambered in S&W 38, not 38 Special.

 

[gunnails]

I think it is a 5th Model .32 Double Action, circa 1909-1919.

I am not an expert, actually still a beginner, but Google is my friend.

Hopefully some one with real knowledge will chime in..

Smith & Wesson New Departure concealed hammer top break revolver, .32 cal., nickel finish

 

[alaskavett]

You have one of the later Safety Hammerless models aka The "lemonsqueeser". Too bad it has been refinished as this removes it from interest as a collectable in most cases. Can you post the serial number, if you want you can use x's for the last 2 or 3 digits. There still cool old guns and fun to shoot if there in a safe enough condition to still shoot. Kyle

 

[bassoneer]

It does say .38 S&W...just didn't know what it was called or if the barrel was originally that short...Thanks for all the input thus far! B

 

[bassoneer]

I think I did post the serial number in about the third post...and I wonder how we can tell about the refinish. Because it doesn't look that great...I thought it was original, but what do I know? Thanks again, B

 

[12string]

The trigger nickeled is a give away, usually they were blued, along with the sharp edges rounded from re-polishing. It is hard to tell from the pictures though.

 

[Masterpiece]

I can't tell if the barrel was originally this short or if somebody cut the end of the barrel off. It looks like some grinding marks at the end of the barrel and it doesn't look square.

bassoneer,

I agree with the others...it's a 5th Model 38 Safety Hammerless & judging by the Serial No....a "Very" Late Production one at that!!

Even given it does look to have a few odd marks on the Muzzle...with a high degree of certainty...I believe the Revolver's Barrel Length to be Original which...If I'm Correct...looks to be 2" when measured from the Frt. Face of the Cylinder to the Muzzle!! If so, it's a Pretty Scare Variation of a 5th Model 38 Safety Hammerless most often referred to as a "Bicycle Model"!!

The reason I made mention that the Barrel Length is Original is the fact Late Safety's...Both 32's & 38's...have the Frt. Sight Forged to the Barrel making it "Near" impossible to shorten the Original Barrel Length without any telltale signs unless someone "Very" skilled removed & reattached the Sight Boss when shortening it which yours doesn't look to have been from what I can see in the Photos!!

One question...Are there any markings on top of the Barrel Rib??

Also...as already mentioned...It has been refinished evidenced by it having been Fully Nickel-Plated when the work was done...Triggerguard, Trigger, Barrel Catch, Etc!! Regardless, these 2" Bicycle Model Safety's are somewhat Scarce & should still retain a fair amount of collectible value given it's a Bicycle Revolver...although nothing near what it could be worth had it been the Original Finish!!

 

[mmcalc]

Nickel finishes on late models

I thought that some of the later pistols had nickel plated triggers from the factory.
The roll mark on top of the barrel should be the tell as to weather or not the barrel has been shortened.
That is a very nice pistol in any case. If it was refinished it was done well.

Mike

 

[12string]

a rel cool snubbie

 

[scooter123]

Another tipoff for the barrel being original is the roll stamps are well centered. If the barrel had been cut this would not be the case. This means that it is a "Bicycle" gun and rather valuable. I am NOT at all certain it's been refinished because of the lighting used to take the pictures that trigger may only appear to be plated. Question for Bassoneer is whether the trigger is really nickle plated or blued steel with a bit of a shine to it. if it's blued steel the value for this revolver goes way up because from the crispness of the roll stamps visible on the barrel it's either been refinished by a consummate professional or it's never been refinished.

 

[bassoneer]

Thanks for all the responses! The trigger does appear to be nickel plated. The little star and shaft that pop up when opened is blued. And there are no markings on top of the barrel. Thanks again for all the information and kind words! B

 

[Masterpiece]

I am NOT at all certain it's been refinished because of the lighting used to take the pictures that trigger may only appear to be plated.

scooter123,

I believe if you click on the Photos so they'll enlarge a bit you'll see that the Trigger as well as all of the other components I mentioned in my Earlier Post are Nickel Plated!!

Just to make note, these had Color Case-Hardened Triggers along with Blued Triggerguards & Barrel Latches!!

 

[bassoneer]

Here's a couple more shots of the blued parts - the star and something down on the bottom (don't know what it is called)





And here is a better shot at the end of the barrel - seems like something was welded/soldered...not sure if that was factory...that was my concern about the barrel being shortened...

 

[Masterpiece]

And there are no markings on top of the barrel.

bassoneer,

Thanks...didn't believe you were going to find any!!

 

[Masterpiece]

And here is a better shot at the end of the barrel - seems like something was welded/soldered...not sure if that was factory...that was my concern about the barrel being shortened...

bassoneer,

Didn't realize you were still posting photos!! It looks to me that what you're seeing may possibly be nothing more than some flaking of the finish as I still believe this almost has to be the Original Length Barrel!!

And to address your earlier question I forgot to answer regarding the end of the Barrel!! I believe the Muzzle may have been damaged a bit & before they refinished it wasn't squared it up very well leaving you with the impression it had been tampered with...Just my opinion!!

Also...as you never did say...does the Barrel measure 2"??

 

[H Richard]

Nice gun. I also believe the barrel is the original length, but the only way to tell is to get a Historical Letter from Roy Jinks at S&W. Attached is a photo of my 32 Safety Hammerless Bicycle, a different model but it shows the correct configuration of the blued trigger guard and latch and the case hardened trigger.

 

[bassoneer]

H Richard - that's a beautiful gun!

Masterpiece - I measured the barrel and it is 2".

Thanks for all the replies! B